Cutting device.



e. R. CALEY.

CUTTING DEVICE. APPLICATIONv FILED JAN. 12. 1916.

1 1 96, 929 Patented Sept. 5, 1916;

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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G. R. CALEY.

CUTTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. I2. I9I6.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

GI.R-C(HLEY' era GUY It. CALEY, OF SILESIA, MONTANA.

CUTTING DEVICE.

Application filed January 12, 1916.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GUY It. CALnY, a citizenof the United States, residing at Silesia, in the county of Carbon andState of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCutting Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in cutting devices andhas relation more particularly to a device of this general characterespecially designed and adapted for use in connection with the toppingof beets or the like; and it is an object of the invention to provide anovel and improved device wherein the cutting operation is under controlof the beet or the like to be operated upon.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a cutting device ofthis general character including a cutting member capable of adjustmentrelative to the article to be operated upon together with novel andimproved means whereby the adjustment of the cutting member is automaticand under control of the article to be operated upon.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved cuttingdevice whereby certain important advantages are attained and the deviceis rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient andadvantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. I

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in theappended claims.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a cuttingdevice constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention andshown in applied position; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectionalview taken through my improved cutting device as herein embodied; Fig. 3is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section,illustrating certain of the parts in a position different from thepositions of the corresponding parts as illustrated in Fig. 2, thetension spring as disclosed in Fig. 2 being omitted; Fig. 4 is a view intop plan of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

Serial No. 71,736.

my improved cutting device; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view takensubstantially on the line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a view in sideelevation of the clutch member as herein embodied, the coacting shaftbeing shown in section; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly inelevation and partly in section, illustrating a means whereby the trip,as herein embodied, may be longitudinally adjusted; and Fig. 8 is afragmentary detail elevational view illustrating the connection, asherein disclosed, for operating the defleeting member herein included.

As herein disclosed, C denotes the upper portion of a conveyer structuregenerally employed in connection with beet pullers for lifting orelevating the beets after the same have been drawn from the ground andsaid conveyer C is adapted to deliver the beets in substantially ahorizontal position between the inner stretches of the endless aprons Atraveling around vertical axes and operatively supported by the rearframe structure F. The frame F is of such design as will best meet therequirements and as the frame in its details forms no part of my presentinvention, it is thought that a specific description thereof isunnecessary other than to state that the rear frame F is operativelysupported by the shaft S on which is mounted the traction wheel W ofconventional construction and provided with the fixed gear G securedthereto in any desired manner.

As herein disclosed, each of the aprons A comprises the verticallyalined endless sprocket chains 1 disposed around the sprockets 2 fixedto the opposite end portions of the vertically disposed shafts 3 and 4.The vertically alined chains 1 are connected by the vertically disposedmembers 1 which may be wire of requisite gage or as de sired. The shafts3 are arranged adjacent the inner end of the rear frame F and arerotatably supported thereby in predetermined spaced relationtransversely of the frame F while the shafts 4 are rotatably supportedby the outer ends of the frames 5. As herein disclosed, the frames 5 aresubstantially H-shape and have their inner ends loosely mounted upon theshafts 3 whereby said frames 5 are capable of relative rocking movementin a horizontal plane. The upper end portions of the shafts 4: havepivotally engaged therewith the inner end portions of the arms 6 whichextend transversely of the frame H in opposite directions and have theirouter or free end portions loosely disposed through the guides 7suitably positioned upon the frame F. The frames 5 are normallymaintained at the limit of their inward rocking movement through themedium of the expansible members 8, herein disclosed as conventionalcoil springs, surrounding the arms 6 and interposed between the sides ofthe frame F and the pins 9 carried by and disposed through the arms 6 atpredetermined points intermediate the length thereof. I do not wish,however, to be understood as limiting myself to this particularautomatic arrangement for maintaining the rock frames 5 normally at thelimit of their inward relative movement.

Operatively supported by the frame F and in a horizontal plane above therock frames 5 is the longitudinally disposed shaft 10 on which ismounted the hub 11 adapte l to rotate therewith but capable of movementlongitudinally thereof and the hub 11 has loosely engaged therewith thecollar 12 provided with the bracket or clip 14 with which coacts theflexible member 17 preferably of wire of requisite gage having itsextremities secured to the upper portions of the shafts 4, as indicatedat 18. By this arrangement, it will be perceived that as a beet or otherarticle is carried rearwardly by the aprons A, the frames 5 will berocked outwardly in accordance with the size or thickness of the beetand draw the hub 11 inwardly so that the knife K carried by said hub 11will cut the top from the beet and preferably at a point in closeproximity to the lower crown leaf. It is well known that the larger thebeet the thicker the crown and that a large beet has from one to twoinches more crown to be out 01f than a small beet. It is for the purposeof compensating for the difierent sizes of crowns that the hub 11 isadjusted longitudinally of its shaft under the influence of the beettraveling between the aprons A.

The outer end of the shaft 10 is provided with a beveled gear 19 adaptedto be engag-ed by the arcuate beveled rack 20 carried by a face of thedisk 21 loosely mounted upon the shaft 22 supported by and disposedtransversely of the frame F. The rack 20 is of a length as tocause onecomplete revolution of the shaft 10. Fixed to the shaft 22 and at a sideof the disk 21 opposite to the rack 20 is the clutch member 23 providedwith the annular flange 24 disposed inwardly relative to the disk 21 andprovided with the equidistantly spaced internal sockets or recesses 25adapted to receive the roller 26 carried by the rock arm 27 pivotallysupported intermediate its length, as at 28, by the hub 29 of the disk21. It is to be observed that the roller 26 is arranged to one side ofthe rock arm 27 so that it may operatively engage a socket or recess 25of the clutch member 23 and to afford no obstruction to the rotation ofthe clutch member 23 when said roller 26 is unseated from a socket orrecess 25. It will. be self-evident that with the roller 26 engagedwithin a socket or recess 25, the disk 21 will be caused to rotate inunison with the clutch member 23 and in the same general direction.

As herein embodied and as particularly illustrated in Fig. 5, the disk21 is provided with an annular flange 30 concentric to the shaft 22 andextending in a direction toward and adapted for engagement with theflange 24 of the clutch member 23 and the flange 30 is provided with anelongated slot 31 through which the outer end of the rock arm 27 isdirected so that said rock arm may be engaged by the trip arm 32 to behereinafter more particularly referred to. The trip arm 32 serves tounseat the roller 26 from within a socket or recess 25 while theexpansible member 33 interposed between the hub 29 of the disk 21 andthe inner end of the rock arm 27 serve as an automatic means forpositioning the roller 26 within a socket or recess 25 when the trip arm32 is disengaged from the outer end of the rock arm 27. As hereinembodied, the expansible member 33 constitutes a conventional coil.spring of requisite strength. In the present embodiment of my invention,the trip arm 32 is affixed to one extremity of the shaft 34- rotatablysupported by the outer bearing 35 for the shaft 10. The shaft 34 is alsoprovided with the rock arm 36 having pivotally engaged with its outer orfree extremity the elongated bar 37 substantially horizontally disposed,and pivotally engaged as at 38 with the bar 37 at a predetermined pointintermediate its length is the upper end portion of the operating arm 39substantially vertically disposed and mounted intermediate its lengthfor rocking movement upon the shaft 22, the lower end of the arm 39 isprovided with the inwardly disposed elon gated finger 40 terminatingnormally adjacent to and slightly inwardly of the discharge ends of theaprons A. It will thus be seen that as a beet or the like is carriedrearwardly by the aprons A, the beet will contact with the finger 4:0and force the arm 39 rearwardly whereby the trip arm 32 will bedisengaged from the rock arm 27 so that the knife K will be caused torotate and top the beet.

It is to be noted in Figs. 2 and 7 that the finger 40 is capable oflongitudinal adjustment relative to the arm 39 as the connectedextremity of the finger i0 is threaded, as at 41, through the laterallydirected lug 42 carried by the low-er end portion of the arm 39. Thislongitudinal adjustment of the finger 40 affords a means to readilyregulate the amount of top to be cut from the beet in contradistinctionto the rocking movement of the frames 5 which regulate the amount of thetop to be out according to the size of the beet. 'In order to assure thebeet carried between the aprons A engaging the finger 40, I find it ofadvantage to employ vertically alined guides disposed longitudinally ofthe frame F between the rock frames 5 and, as herein embodied, saidguides comprise the endless chains 41 operatively engaged with the gears42 fixed to the shafts 61 disposed transversely of and supported by theframe F adjacent its forward end, and the chains 41 are also operativelyengaged with the sprockets 42 mounted in the outer or free ends of theframes 62 pivotally engaged w1th the shafts 61, so that said chains 41are capable of relative movement in order to adapt themselves to beetsof varying sizes.

As herein disclosed, the inner stretches of the chains 41 are normallyarranged in forwardly converging planes as is particularly illustratedin Fig. 2, and said chains are maintained in their normal positionthrough the medium of the arms 63 pi-votally engaged with the frames 62and disposed in oposite directions and extending through the transversebeams 64 of the frame F, and interposed between said beams 64 and thecollars 65, carried by the arms 63, are the eXpansible members 66 hereindisclosed as conventional coil springs which permit a ready separatingmovement of the chains 41 but serve to maintain the same normally at thelimit of their inward movement, said inward movement being limited bythe stops 67 disposed through the outer ends of the arms and coactingwith the outer faces of the beams 64.

It is also a purpose of my invention to employ a deflecting member whichserves to throw the severed tops in one direction and the beets properin a second direction and, as herein embodied, the deflecting member Dis mounted upon the rock shaft 43 and is positioned below the finger 40and is adapted to be swung from one position to the other through themedium of the arm 39. As disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, the deflectingmember D is in a position to guide the severed tops. As is particularlyillustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, the shaft 43 is provided with rock arms44 each of which having engaged therewith the roller 45 which is capableof adjustment longitudinally of the rock arm 44 and said roller ispositioned within the longitudinally disposed slot 46 formed in thelower end of the bar 47, the upper end of said bar 47 being pivotallyengaged as at 47 with the bar 39 directly connecting the bar 39, theextremities of said bar 39 and bar 39 being further connected by thebracing members 68. It will be observed that as the bar 39 is initiallyforced outwardly, the slots 46 will prevent rocking movement beingimparted to the shaft 43. This arrangement is provided so that theposition of the deflecting member will not be changed until the severedtop has been properly deflected. In order that sufficient rockingmovement may be imparted to the arm 39 to cause the bars 47 to swing thedeflecting member D into its second position, as illustrated in Fig. 3,I provide the disk 21 with the roller 48 adapted to engage the finger 49depending from the bar 37 whereby said bar 37 is positively movedrearwardly under the influence of the shaft 22 and as the disk 21continues to rotate the roller 48, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig.3, will engage the lower end of the inwardly and downwardly inclined arm50 carried by the outer end of the arm 37 whereby outward movement willbe positively imparted to the arm 37 under the influence of the shaft 22to throw the deflecting member D back to the position illustrated inFig. 3 to engage the rock arm 27 to disengage the disk 21 from theclutch member 23. I also find it of advantage to employ the retractabletensioning member 51 having one extremity secured to the inner end ofthe arm 37 with its opposite end secured to the laterally and outwardlydirected arm 52 carried by the bar 39 at a point above the shaft 22.This tensioning spring serves to assure the trip bar 32 being maintainedin operative contact with the rock arm 27 during the period the disk 21is idle.

The shaft 22 is adapted to continuously operate during the travel of themachine with which my invention is employed and for this purpose has oneend portion provided with the gear 53 operatively engaged with the idlegear 54 rotatably supported by the sprocket chain 55 also operativelyengaged with the shaft 56 disposed transversely of the frame F at theinner end portion thereof, said shaft 56 being also operativelyconnected, as at 57, with the upper ends of the shafts 3 whereby therequisite travel is imparted to the endless aprons A. The shaft 56 isalso operatively engaged, as at 58, with the stub shaft 59 supported bythe frame 1 and, as herein disclosed, said shaft 59 is provided with agear wheel 60 in mesh with the gear G hereinbefore referred to, wherebyit will be perceived that my improved cutting device, as hereindisclosed, is driven from the traction wheel W. It is also to be notedthat the chains 41 are positively driven, and as herein embodied,

the upper shaft 61 is provided with a gear the lower shaft 42 whereby itwill be perceived that the chains 41 will be caused to rotate in unisonand in the proper directions.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that acutting device constructed in accordance with my invention is of anextremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled, and it will also be obviousthat my invention is susceptible of some change and modification withoutmaterial departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for thisreason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precisearrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout my invention in practice.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the beet or thelike to be topped will pass between the rock frames 5 with the topsforwardly directed and that said beet will be carried rearwardly by theaprons A and properly guided by the chains 41. It will also beself-evident that as the beet or the like passes between the rock frames5, that the free ends of said frames will be caused to separate adistance in accordance with the size of the beet. The separatin movementof the free ends of the frames 0 will draw the knife K inwardly in amanner which has hereinbefore been fully described, so that said knifewill cut the top from the beet at a point in close proximity to thelower crown leaf. It will also be readily appreciated tiat the beet willcontact with the finger 40 to force the same rearwardly, whereby thetrip arm 32 will be disengaged from the rock arm 27 so that the knife Kwill be caused to rotate and top the beet. After the top is severed itwill fall upon the deflecting member D to assure the proper discharge ofthe severed top and that upon continued rearward movement of the finger40, the deflecting member D will be caused to assume the positionparticularly shown in Fig. 3, and in a manner as has hereinbefore beenset forth and upon which the beet drops for a purpose which is believedto be selfevident.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a cutting member, afeeding means, means operating under the influence of an article carriedby the feeding means to adjust the cutting member relative to thedischarge end of the feeding means, and means under control of thearticle carried by the feeding means for imparting movement to thecutting member.

2. A device of the character described comprising a cutting member, afeeding means, means operating under the influence of an article carriedby the feeding means to adjust the cutting member relative to thedischarge end of the feeding means, and means for causing the cuttingmember to operate upon the article carried by the feeding means.

3. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, acutting member mounted for movement relative to the discharge end of thefeeding means, and means carried by the feeding means coacting with thecutting member for moving the cutting member relative to the feedingmeans under the influence of the article carried by the feeding means.

4. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, acutting member movable in a plane intersecting the path of travel of anarticle carried by the feeding means, and means carried by the feedingmeans coacting with the cutting member and operable under the influenceof an article carried by the feeding means for moving the cutting membertoward the discharge end of the feeding means.

5. A device of the character described comprising a-feeding means, acutting member movable in a plane intersecting the path of travel of anarticle carried by the feeding means, means carried by the feeding meanscoacting with the cutting member and operable under the influence of anarticle carried by the feeding means for moving the cutting membertoward the discharge end of the feeding means, and automatic means forimparting movement to the cutting member in an opposite direction.

6. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, saidfeeding means consisting of coacting endless aprons having theirdischarge ends capable of relative lateral movement, a cutting membermounted for sliding movement relative to the discharge ends oftheaprons, means carried by the discharge ends of the aprons and coactingwith the cutting member for imparting sliding movement to the cuttingmember upon outward lateral movement being imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons.

7. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, saidfeeding means consisting of coacting endless aprons having theirdischarge ends capable of relative lateral movement, a cutting membermounted for sliding movement relative to the dis charge ends of theaprons, means carried by the discharge ends of the aprons and meetingwith the cutting member for imparting sliding movement to the cuttingmember upon outward lateral movement being imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons, and automatic means for normally maintaining thedischarge ends of the aprons at the limit of their inward lateral movement.

member upon outward lateral movement being imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons, and means operable under the influence of an articleearried'by the feeding means for causing the cutting member to travel ina plane intersecting the path of travel of the article carried by thefeeding means.

9. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, saidfeeding means consisting of coacting endless aprons having theirdischarge ends capable of relative lateral movement, a cutting membermounted for sliding movement relative to the discharge ends of theaprons, means carried by the discharge ends of the aprons and coactingwith the cutting member for imparting sliding movement to the cuttingmember upon outward lateral movement being imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons, and a guiding means for an article carried by thefeedings means.

10. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, saidfeeding means consisting of coacting endless aprons having theirdischarge ends capable of relative lateral movement, a cutting membermounted for sliding movement relative to the discharge ends of theaprons, means carried by the discharge ends of the aprons and coactingwith the cutting member for imparting sliding movement to the cuttingmember upon outward lateral movement being imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons, and a guiding means for an article carried by thefeeding means, said guiding means being positioned intermediate of theaprons.

11. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, saidfeeding means consisting of coacting endless aprons having theirdischarge ends capable of relative lateral movement, a cuttingmembermounted for sliding movement relative to the discharge ends of theaprons, means carried by the discharge ends of the aprons and coactingwith the cutting member for imparting sliding movement to the cuttingmember upon outward lateral movement being imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons, and a guiding means for an article carried by thefeeding means, said guiding means-being positioned intermediate of theaprons and disposed longitudinally thereof.

12. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, saidfeeding means consisting of coacting endless aprons having theirdischarge ends capable of relative lateral movement, a cutting membermounted for sliding movement relative to the discharge ends of theaprons, means carried by the discharge ends of the aprons and coactingwith the cutting member for imparting sliding movement to the cuttingmember upon outward lateral movement being imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons, and a guiding means for an article carried-by thefeeding means, said guiding means being positioned intermediate of theaprons and disposed longitudinally thereof and arranged in planesconverging toward the discharge end of the feeding means.

13. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, adriven shaft, an operating member loosely mounted on the shaft, a rotarycutter, coacting means carried by the operating member and the cutterfor rotating the cutter upon rotation of the disk, a clutch member fixedto the shaft and coacting with the disk, a trip arm coacting with theclutch for maintaining the same out of engagement with the disk, a rockarm operatively engaged with the trip arm whereby said trip arm isdisengaged from the clutch upon the rock arm being moved in onedirection, and a finger carried by the rock arm and terminating adjacentthe discharge end of the feeding means and adapted to be engaged by anarticle carried by the feeding means for imparting the requisitemovement to the rock arm for re- 1loeasing the trip arm from the clutchmem- 14. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means,a driven shaft, an operating member loosely mounted on the shaft, arotary cutter, coacting means carried by the operating member and thecutter for rotating the cutter upon rotation of the disk, a clutchmember fixed to the shaft and coacting with the disk, a trip armcoacting with the clutch for maintaining the same out of engagement withthe disk, a rock arm operatively engaged with the trip arm whereby saidtrip arm is disengaged from the clutch upon the rock arm being moved inone direction, and a finger carried by the rock arm and terminatingadjacent the discharge end of the feeding means and adapted to beengaged by an article carried by the feeding means for imparting therequisite movement to the rock arm for releasing the trip arm from theclutch member, said finger being capable of longitudinal adjustment.

15. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, acuttlng member adapted to travel in a plane intersecting the path ftravel of an arti le ea ne ythe feeding means, a driven shaft, a diskloosely mounted on the driven shaft, coacting means carried by thecutting member and the disk for imparting movement to the disk uponrotation of the disk, a clutch member fixed to the shaft and coactingwith the disk, a trip arm coacting with the clutch member formaintaining the same out of engagement with the disk, a rock armoperatively engaged with the trip arm and serving to throw the same outof engagement with the clutch member upon movement in one direction, amember carried by the rock arm adapted to be engaged by an articlecarried by the feeding means for imparting the requisite movement to therock arm to disengage the trip arm from the clutch member, a deflectingmember positioned below the discharge end of the feeding means andcapable of rocking movement, an operating arm coacting with the rock armand the deflecting member, and means carried by the disk for impartingrocking movement to the rock arm in addition to the movement imparted tothe rock arm under the influence of an article carried by the feedingmeans.

16. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, acutting member adapted to travel in a plane intersecting the path oftravel of an article carried by the feeding means, a driven shaft, adisk loosely mounted on the driven shaft, coacting means carried by thecutting member and the disk for imparting movement to the disk uponrotation of the disk, a clutch member fixed to the shaft and coactingwith the disk, a trip arm coacting with the clutch member formaintaining the same out of engagement with the disk, a rock armoperatively engaged with the trip arm and serving to throw the same outof engagement with the clutch member upon movement in one direction, amember carried by the rock arm adapted to be engaged by an articlecarried by the feeding means for imparting the requisite movement to therock arm to disengage the trip arm from the clutch member, a deflectingmember positioned below the discharge end of the feeding means andcapable of rocking movement, an operating arm coacting with the rock armand the deflecting member, and means carried by the disk for impartingrocking movement to the rock arm in addition to the movement imparted tothe rock arm under the influence of an article carried by the feedingmeans, said last named means also serving to impart rocking movement tothe rock arm in an opposite direction to throw the deflecting memberback to its first position.

17. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, saidfeeding means consisting of coacting endless aprons having theirdischarge ends capable of relative lateral movement, a cutting membermounted for sliding movement relative to the discharge ends of theaprons, means carried by the discharge ends of the aprons and coactingwith the cutting member for imparting sliding movement to the cuttingmember upon outward lateral movement be ing imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons, and a. guiding means for an article carried by thefeeding means, said guiding means being positioned intermediate of theaprons and disposed longitudinally thereof and arranged in planesconverging toward the discharge end of the feeding means, said guidingmeans being capable of separating movement under the influence of anarticle passing therebetween.

18. A device of the character described comprising a feeding means, saidfeeding means consisting of coacting endless aprons having theirdischarge ends capable of rela tive lateral movement, a cutting membermounted for sliding movement relative to the discharge ends of theaprons, means carried by the discharge ends of the aprons and coactingwith the cutting member for imparting sliding movement to the cuttingmember upon outward lateral movement being imparted to the dischargeends of the aprons, endless guide chains positioned intermediate theaprons with their inner stretches normally disposed on forwardlyconverging planes, yieldable means for maintaining the guide chains intheir nor mal position, and means for imparting movement to the guidechains.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

GUY R. CALEY.

Witnesses:

JOHN CALEY, ROBT. N. GREWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

